182 articles from FRIDAY 9.4.2021
Children less infectious than adults with SARS-CoV-2
Children may not be as infectious in spreading SARS-CoV-2 to others as previously thought, according to new University of Manitoba-led research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2021/04/09/cmaj.210263.
CO2 mitigation on Earth and magnesium civilization on Mars
Researchers employed magnesium to convert CO2 to methane, methanol and formic acid, using water as the sole hydrogen source. The conversion of CO2 (or air) took place within a few minutes at ambient temperature and pressure. Bubble the air in water with a pinch of magnesium and we will get fuel (methane, hydrogen etc). This process could potentially be the first step towards a magnesium-driven...
Computer model fosters potential improvements to 'bionic eye' technology
Researchers developed an experimentally validated advanced computer model that reproduces the shapes and positions of millions of nerve cells in the eye, as well as the physical and networking properties associated with them. Focusing on models of nerve cells that transmit visual information from the eye to the brain, the researchers identified ways to potentially increase clarity and grant color...
COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent global need to control air pollution
In a new commentary reviewing current research on the potential relationships among pollution, respiratory viruses and health disparities, physician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) dis-cuss several ways that the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need to address the global problem of air pollution and improve respiratory health and equity worldwide.
COVID-19 vaccine prioritization
What The Study Did: This survey study examines wh0 U.S. adults believe should be prioritized for access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Earth's crust mineralogy drives hotspots for intraterrestrial life
Researchers explored the distribution of biofilm communities in the continental deep subsurface. Their study highlights the presence of "hotspots" for microbial life around iron-rich minerals. A pattern which can allow us to better predict the distribution of intraterrestrial life on Earth, but that could also inform the search for extraterrestrial life in the subsurface of Mars.
Exploration of ocean currents beneath the 'Doomsday Glacier'
For the first time, researchers have been able to obtain data from underneath Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier". They find that the supply of warm water to the glacier is larger than previously thought, triggering concerns of faster melting and accelerating ice flow.
Fighting dementia with play
Cognitive motor training helps in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia, as demonstrated for the first time in a study by an international team of researchers with ETH Zurich involvement. The training platform used was developed by an ETH spin-off.
Foliar application boosts the zinc content of wheat grain by up to 50%
A team from the Department of Agronomy at the UCO has demonstrated, through field tests carried out during 8 agricultural seasons, that foliar feeding with fertilizer increases the concentration of zinc in wheat more than if it is applied to the soil
Frontline health workers across US faced unique stressors during COVID
During the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency department doctors, nurses and other frontline staff experienced unprecedented levels of stress and emotional exhaustion that included nightmares or insomnia, according to a UC San Francisco-led study of emergency departments across the country.
Genes and immune cells predict immunotherapy success in bladder cancer
Sets of genes associated with resistance to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer of the bladder have been identified and validated by researchers at Mount Sinai. In a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, the team uncovered gene signatures representing adaptive immunity and pro-tumorigenic inflammation that were responsible for sensitivity or resistance to immune...
Genome analysis for sequence variants in SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic individuals in long-term care facility
What The Study Did: Genome analysis was performed on SARS-CoV-2 RNA from seven patients in a long-term care facility who were asymptomatic at the time of screening.
Geography, job risk should be factors in prioritizing SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations
When setting SARS-CoV-2 vaccine priorities, Canada should take a more nuanced approach that considers geographic and occupational risk exposures, as 75% of Canadian adults have at least 1 risk factor for severe COVID-19, argues an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2021/04/09/cmaj.210529.
Glass injection molding
Freiburg researchers succeed in producing rapid, cost-effective and environmentally friendly material.
Helping people understand adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccinations
What The Study Did: This Viewpoint discusses potential associations between functional neurological disorder and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Interleukin-33 involved in immunity to Sars-CoV-2
Early in the Corona pandemic, a team of immunologists from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg and physicians from the University of Freiburg Medical Center joined forces to learn more about immunity in people recovering from Corona infections. The study revealed a yet unknown involvement of Interleukin 33, an important alarm-signal, when immune cells get exposed...
Learning what makes the nucleus tick
Two Facility for Rare Isotope Beams researchers have created a computer model to help explain and make nuclear discoveries.
Masculine traits linked to better parenting for some dads
In some men, having traditional masculine characteristics such as competitiveness and adventurousness was linked to being better fathers to infants, a new study found. But the men in this study - highly educated and from dual-earner couples - combined those stereotypically masculine traits with the belief that they should be nurturing, highly involved fathers.
Men with low health literacy less likely to choose active surveillance for prostate cancer after tumor profiling
A new study shows that in a predominantly Black, urban patient population with substantial social disadvantage, tumor profiling decreased patient acceptance of active surveillance. Men with low health literacy were more than seven times less likely to accept active surveillance if their tumors were profiled.
Metabolic changes in fat tissue in obesity associated with adverse health effects
A twin study recently completed at the University of Helsinki indicates that the machinery responsible for energy handling in fat tissue is working poorly in obesity. In the study, a clear reduction was seen in the activity of mitochondrial genes in obesity in fat tissue, while similar genome-level change in muscle mitochondria was minor. A link with adverse health effects was identified in the...
More nuanced approach to deciding who gets COVID-19 vaccine needed in face of third wave
It's time for a more nuanced approach to vaccine prioritization in Canada, as more contagious COVID-19 variants become prevalent and a third wave of infections threatens to overwhelm hospitals in some provinces, according to an analysis published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
New biosealant can stabilize cartilage, promote healing after injury
Researchers showed that a new hyaluronic acid hydrogel system can reinforce and seal areas of injured cartilage in animal studies, paving the way for future fixes and healing
New machine learning method accurately predicts battery state of health
Researchers develop new machine learning method to accurately predict battery state of health.
New research on why 'poo' transplants effectively treat C. diff
Experts have uncovered a new molecular reason why faecal transplants are highly effective in treating infections such as C. difficile (a nasty bacteria that can infect the bowel), which could lead to more targeted treatments for this and other similar diseases.
New research reveals secret to Jupiter's curious aurora activity
Jupiter's polar cap is threaded in part with closed magnetic field lines rather than entirely with open magnetic field lines, new research finds.